Project Name : ASEAN+3 Rectors’ Conference Short Name : -ASEAN+3 UNet Partner /Secretariat : AUN Member Universities and Universities from the Plus Three countriesObjectives : to create a platform for executive level (President/Rector/Vice-chancellor) of the ASEAN and the Plus Three
universities to learn and share their views toward the challenges ahead for the ASEAN+3 future cooperation.

Highlighted Milestone :

The ASEAN+3 cooperation initiated in December 1997 with the convening of an informal Summit among the Leaders of
ASEAN and their counterparts from People’s Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea. The ASEAN+3 process was
institutionalized in 1999 when the Leaders issued a Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation at their 3rd ASEAN+3 Summit
in Manila. The ASEAN+3 Leaders expressed greater resolve and confidence in further strengthening and deepening East
Asia cooperation at various levels and in various areas, particularly in economic and social, political, and other fields.

Since then, a number of key documents have been adopted to set the direction for ASEAN+3 cooperation. This includes the
Second Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation: “Building on the Foundations of ASEAN+3 Cooperation” and the
ASEAN+3 Cooperation Work Plan 2007-2017.

The Work Plan serves as the master plan for enriching ASEAN+3 relations and cooperation in a comprehensive and mutually
beneficial manner. It also contributes to the establishment of the ASEAN Community by 2015.

Under the Work Plan, the ASEAN University Network is tasked to promote higher education, increase linkages between
universities and encourage credit transfers in ASEAN+3 countries. In realization of this vital mission, the “ASEAN +3 Higher
Education Policy Dialogue” was successfully convened in Phuket, Thailand in March 2009 with full support by the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the Office of Higher Education Commission, Thailand and the AUN Secretariat.

As a result, the conference participants agreed to establish an ASEAN+3 University Network, as well as the ASEAN+3
Rectors’ Conference and the heads of ASEAN+3 International Relations’ Meeting in rotation between the AUN Member
Universities and universities from the Plus Three countries. This initiative is considered as a significant mechanism to intensify
the ASEAN+3 higher education cooperation and ultimately lead to the East Asian community building. These proposed
activities were recognized as part of the six action lines under the ASEAN+3 Plan of Action on Education 2007-2017.